Adorning the gable of the Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Storehouse) in Nikkō Tōshōgū Shrine, the 'Imaginary Elephants' (Sōzō-no-Zō) are among the shrine's most charming artistic treasures. Commissioned in 1635, celebrated painter Kanō Tan'yū had to rely purely on secondhand descriptions and folklore to design the animals, resulting in delightfully stylized beasts with golden tusks and crescent-shaped eyes. While less famous than the complex's Three Wise Monkeys or Sleeping Cat, this pair of colorful reliefs offers a captivating glimpse into Edo-period curiosity. Visitors can look up at the timber eaves to appreciate the remarkable blend of artistic imagination and historical craftsmanship.
- Shrines
- Sculptures
- Wood Carvings
- Edo Period
- Art & Architecture
- Historic Landmarks
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